Effect of some mould inhibitors and herbal plants on mycotoxins production by Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticilloides in vitro and in stored corn grains

Clove oil, clove extract and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) completely suppressed the growth of both Fusarium verticilloides and Aspergillus flavus isolates. Black cumin and thyme extracts were more suppressive on F. verticilloides than A. flavus. Antitox-Plus (AP) had no effect on the growth of both the pathogens. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test revealed that A. flavus was more sensitive to Fix-A-Tox (FAT) and AP than F. verticilloides. In the growth media, all the tested substances, completely suppressed the production of aflatoxins by A. flavus and significantly reduced fumonisins production by F. verticilloides, particularly clove oil and extract. Treatment of immature grains with the tested mould inhibitors prior to inoculation with A. flavus and F. verticilloides significantly reduced mycotoxins production at the end of the storage period; moreover, highest reduction rates were realised by BHA and FAT. Complete or highly significant suppression of aflatoxins in mature grains were obtained by all the tested herbal and synthetic mould inhibitors. Ground clove buds contained the highest carvacrol content, whereas thymol content was higher in thyme extract. Clove oil was rich in eugenol. Alpha-tocopherol content was higher in ground black cumin (BC), followed by BC oil. Unsaturated fatty acid content was higher in thyme extract and ground BC than saturated fatty acids. Linolenic acid was the most predominant fatty acid in BC oil and extract, whereas behenic and arachidic acids were detected only in BC oil. Stearic acid was the main fatty acid in clove oil and extract, whereas oleic acid was the prevailing fatty acid in thyme extract.     

Evaluation of Streptomyces spp. for effective management of Poria hypolateritia causing red root-rot disease in tea plants

A field study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of indigenous biocontrol agents such as Streptomyces griseus and Streptomyces lydicus along with Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma harzianum for controlling red root rot disease of tea plants. In response to biological treatments, disease incidence, green leaf yield, biometric and physiological parameters and organoleptic characters of made tea were assessed. Among the thirteen treatments tested, soil drenching of carbendazim was superior in terms of reducing red root rot incidence followed by combination of S. griseus and T. harzianum recorded in two consecutive field experiments. In contrast, the maximum green leaf yield and plant growth was achieved in soil application of these biocontrol agents. However, the performance of this dual combination of biocontrol agents was on par with systemic fungicide in terms of disease control. Correspondingly, the biometric, physiological and biochemical parameters were also considerably increased in biologically treated plants when compared to untreated control. The disease increased from 38.7% to 47.6% in untreated control plots and those plants were unhealthy in terms of leaf yellowing, stunted growth with heavy flowering, drying of branches and sudden death of bushes. The tea quality parameters such as theaflavin and thearubigin contents were significantly increased in the range of 0.75–1.43% and 10.38–13.22% respectively in biocontrol treated plants. This was also reflected in tea liquor characteristics. Our results suggested that the combination of biocontrol agents represent a promising alternative for effective management of red root rot disease in tea plants.     

Control of storage rot of cassava tuber caused by Rhizopus oryzae using some plant extracts

Abstract

The potency of Piper nigrum seed and leaf, Aframomum meleguata seed and Ageratum conyzoides leaf extracts in the control of cassava tuber rot caused by Rhizopus oryzae was investigated. Water, ethanol and petroleum ether were used as extracting solvents. These extracts were fungitoxic both in vitro and in vivo against the test pathogen. P. nigrum seed extracts were the best followed by those of A. meleguata seed, A. conyzoides leaf and then P. nigrum leaf. The extracts were more effective in controlling rot development in unwounded than wounded tubers especially when they were applied before inoculation with the test pathogen. Ethanol extracts gave the highest growth inhibition in vivo followed by water and the petroleum ether extract whereas water extracts showed marked superiority over the extracting solvents in checking rot development in cassava tuber. Water and ethanol extracts of P. nigrum seed and leaf, A. meleguata seed and A. conyzoides leaf could be used as pesticide of plant origin in the control of R. oryzae causing cassava tuber rot in storage.     

Evaluation of biological seed treatments in combination with management practices for the control of Fusarium dry rot of potato

Seed-borne diseases of potato represent a significant constraint to potato production in the US. The use of an effective fungicide in combination with good management practices during cutting and storage, prior to planting, is essential to reducing disease. The efficacy of two biocontrol agents (Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma harzianum), and a commercially formulated mixture of the chemicals fludioxonil plus mancozeb, applied as seed treatments in combination with different management practices, were evaluated over two years for the control of seed piece decay and sprout rot caused by Fusarium sambucinum. Treatments were made 10 days prior to planting and at planting, and tubers were re-stored at either 18 °C and 95% RH with forced air ventilation at 5950 l min⁻¹ (optimal conditions), at 25 °C in the dark without ventilation (sub-optimal), or not stored at all prior to planting. Seed piece and sprout health were evaluated in vitro and agronomic impacts evaluated in field experiments. Results showed that the biological control agents B. subtilis and T. harzianum provided good control of sprout rot and seed piece decay caused by F. sambucinum, when seed was re-stored under optimal conditions or not re-stored at all. Under optimal conditions, treatment with B. subtilis reduced sprout rot and seed piece decay on average by 66% and 84%, respectively. Treatment with T. harzianum reduced sprout rot and seed piece decay on average by 70% and 81%, respectively. Treatment with fludioxonil + mancozeb reduced sprout rot and seed piece decay under both re-storage regimes. Under optimal conditions, disease incidence and severity was reduced on average by 81% and 97%, respectively. Neither biological control agent reduced seed piece decay incidence under either re-storage regime compared to the untreated controls.     

中药提取物对黄芪根腐病菌的抑制效果

打破了传统的化学药剂(特别是农药)防治黄芪根腐病菌的局限,以发展绿色防治中药材病害为前提,采用蛇床子、知母的提取液制备含药培养基,并以灭菌水作为对照,分别接种黄芪根腐病菌,探讨这两种中药对黄芪根腐病菌—尖孢镰刀菌(Fusarium oxysporum)的抑制作用。研究结果表明,2种中药提取物对抑制黄芪根腐病菌均有不同程度的影响,实验结果表明,无论从药剂类型还是药剂浓度来看,蛇床子防治黄芪根腐病菌的效果最佳,具有显著水平,其最高抑制率为96.13%。     

Combined application of botanical formulations and biocontrol agents for the management of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) causing Fusarium wilt in banana

Plant products along with biocontrol agents were tested against Fusarium wilt of banana caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). Of the 22 plant species tested, the leaf extract of Datura metel (10%) showed complete inhibition of the mycelial growth of Foc. Two botanical fungicides, Wanis 20 EC and Damet 50 EC along with selected PGPR strains with known biocontrol activity, Pseudomonas fluorescens 1, Pf1 and Bacillus subtilis, TRC 54 were tested individually and in combination for the management of Fusarium wilt under greenhouse and field conditions. Combined application of botanical formulation and biocontrol agents (Wanis 20 EC + Pf1 + TRC 54) reduced the wilt incidence significantly under greenhouse (64%) and field conditions (75%). Reduction in disease incidence was positively correlated with the induction of defense-related enzymes peroxidase (PO) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Three antifungal compounds (two glycosides and one ester) in D. metel were separated and identified using TLC, RP-HPLC (Reverse Phase-High Pressure Liquid Chromatography) and mass spectrometry. In this study it is clear that combined application of botanical formulations and biocontrol agents can be very effective in the management of Fusarium wilt of banana.     

Bioefficacy of Aristolochia tagala Cham. against Spodoptera litura Fab. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Bioefficacy of leaf and root extracts of Aristolochia tagala Cham. at different concentrations was evaluated at room temperature against Spodoptera litura Fab. Effects on feeding, larvicidal and pupicidal activities and larval–pupal duration were studied. Higher antifeedant activity (56.06%), lethal concentration for feeding inhibition (3.69%), larvicidal (40.66%), pupicidal (28%), total mortality (68.66%) and prolonged larval–pupal duration (12.04–13.08 days) were observed in ethyl acetate leaf extract at 5.0% concentration. Dose dependant effect of test extracts was observed. This plant could be used to isolate active principles and to develop a new botanical formulation in pest management programmes.     

Comparative bioactivity of selected extracts from Meliaceae and some commercial botanical insecticides against two noctuid caterpillars, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoplusia ni</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudaletia unipuncta</Emphasis>

Plant-derived extracts and phytochemicals have long been a subject of research in an effort to develop alternatives to conventional insecticides but with reduced health and environmental impacts. In this review we compare the bioactivities of some plant extracts with those of commercially available botanical insecticides against two important agricultural pests, the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni and the armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta. Test materials included extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem), A. excelsa (sentang), Melia volkensii, M. azedarach (Chinaberry) and Trichilia americana, (all belonging to the family Meliaceae) along with commercial botanical insecticides ryania, pyrethrum, rotenone and essential oils of rosemary and clove leaf. Most of the extracts and botanicals tested proved to be strong growth inhibitors, contact toxins and significant feeding deterrents to both lepidopteran species. However, there were interspecific differences with T. ni generally more susceptible to the botanicals than the armyworm, P. unipuncta. All botanicals were more inhibitory to growth and toxic (through feeding) to T. ni than to P. unipuncta, except for M. azedarach which was more toxic to P. unipuncta than to T. ni. Athough, pyrethrum was the most toxic botanical to both noctuids, A. indica, A. excelsa, and M. volkensii were more toxic than ryania, rotenone, clove oil and rosemary oil for T. ni. As feeding deterrents, pyrethrum was the most potent against T. ni, whereas A. indica was the most potent against the armyworm. Based upon growth inhibition, chronic toxicity, and antifeedant activity, some of these plant extracts have levels of activity that compare favorably to botanical products currently in commercial use and have potential for development as commercial insecticides.     

Effect of mycorrhiza and biofertilisers on reducing the incidence of Fusarium root and pod rot diseases of peanut

Pathogenicity tests of twenty-six fungal isolates were tested on peanut plants (Giza 5 cv.) and the results revealed that, Fusarium oxysporum isolate (No. I) followed by F. solani (No. II) then F. moniliforme (No III) significantly caused highest incidence of root rot disease. Also, F. moniliforme (No III) followed by F. solani (No II) then F. oxysporum (No I) gave the highest incidence of pod rot disease. The effectiveness of vescular arbuscular-mycorrhiza (VAM) at different application rates on the incidence of root rot, pod rot diseases and plant growth parameters of peanut was studied. All soil treatments with each rate of VAM significantly reduced root and pod rot diseases compared with control (rate 0%). The best reduction in the severity of both diseases with VAM was found at the rate of 3%. Application of rhizobacterin, microbin and cerialin biofertilisers at the different concentrations decreased the severity of both root rot and pod rot severity diseases compared with non-treated seeds. The greatest reduction in both diseases was achieved at a concentration of 8/100?g seeds. The highest number of pods and fresh weight (g) was achieved in seed supplemented with each biofertiliser at concentration of 8/100?g seed.     

不同生物有机肥对连作菠萝生长及防控心腐病效果

[背景] 菠萝心腐病是菠萝生产中常见的土传病害。[目的] 促进连作菠萝的高效栽培并提高病害防效。[方法] 采集连作发病菠萝园土壤,利用盆栽实验研究3种载体（椰糠、泥炭土、菜籽饼）和生防菌株（枯草芽孢杆菌HL2、链霉菌株HL3）与商品普通有机肥共同堆制成的生物有机肥对菠萝植株生长及菠萝心腐病防控效果的影响。[结果] 与化肥处理（CK）相比,施用生物有机肥处理能促进菠萝植株的生长,显著增加鲜重（叶、茎、根）、干重（叶、茎、根）和D叶长（菠萝植株叶片束起时最长的叶片长度）;与化肥处理（CK）相比,施用生物有机肥处理均能降低菠萝心腐病发病率;施用商品普通有机肥处理（YJ）防病能力较差,而生物有机肥处理（KC）的防控效果最好,其次为生物有机肥处理（KY、KN、LY）,防控效果均为83.5%。相关分析表明,土壤病原菌（烟草疫霉菌）含量与放线菌、有机质、pH呈极显著负相关关系（p<0.001）,与土壤速效钾含量呈显著正相关关系（p<0.05）,与发病率呈显著正相关关系（p<0.01）。[结论] 施用生物有机肥可促进菠萝植株生长、降低发病率,对菠萝心腐病有较好的防效,可为菠萝产业健康发展提供参考。     

Interaction between Meloidogyne incognita and Rhizoctonia solani on green beans

The interaction between Meloidogyne incognita (race 2) and Rhizoctonia solani (AG 4) in a root rot disease complex of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) was examined in a greenhouse pot experiment. Three week-old seedlings (cv. Contender) were inoculated with the nematode and/or the fungus in different combinations and sequences. Two months after last nematode inoculation, the test was terminated and data were recorded. The synchronized inoculation by both pathogens (N + F) increased the index of Rhizoctonia root rot and the number of root galls; and suppressed plant growth, compared to controls. However, the severity of root rot and suppression of plant growth were greater and more evident when inoculation by the nematode preceded the fungus (N → F) by two weeks. Nematode reproduction (eggs/g root) was adversely affected by the presence of the fungus except by the synchronized inoculation. When inoculation by nematode preceded the fungus, plant growth was severely suppressed and roots were highly damaged and rotted leading to a decrease of root galls and eggs.     

花魔芋软腐病原真菌分离鉴定

魔芋软腐病是魔芋生产过程中的重要病害,也是限制魔芋产业发展的主要因素。目前,已有报道魔芋软腐病主要由细菌引起,鲜有真菌引起魔芋球茎软腐发病的报道。为明确云南曲靖市花魔芋(Amorphophallus konjac)软腐病的病原种类和侵染特征,该研究通过组织分离法,对采集自云南曲靖市的花魔芋病样进行了真菌的分离,通过形态学结合基于ITS与LSU序列分析的分子鉴定方法对分离真菌进行鉴定,并根据柯赫氏法则进行致病性测定,并对鉴定出的病原真菌同魔芋软腐病原细菌进行了双回接试验分析。结果表明:(1)从形态学和分子水平鉴定了轮纹镰刀菌(Fusarium concentricum)、尖孢镰刀菌(F. oxysporum)和F. ambrosium 3种镰刀菌,1种毛霉属真菌(Mucor sp.),1种根霉属真菌(Rhizopus sp.),1种青霉属真菌(Penicillium sp.)和1种粉红螺旋聚孢霉属真菌(Clonostachys sp.)。(2)统计分析发现,轮纹镰刀菌的相对丰度最高,为45.45%。(3)柯赫氏法则检测发现轮纹镰刀菌具有致病性。(4)轮纹镰刀菌和病原细菌胡萝卜果胶杆菌(Pectobacterium aroidearum)双接种魔芋球茎发现软腐病发病更快,病变组织重量显著高于单接种轮纹镰刀菌或果胶杆菌处理。综上表明,魔芋软腐病可能是由真菌和细菌复合侵染引发。该研究结果为魔芋软腐病的防治提供了理论依据。     

Changing fitness of a necrotrophic plant pathogen under increasing temperature

Warmer temperatures associated with climate change are expected to have a direct impact on plant pathogens, challenging crops and altering plant disease profiles in the future. In this study, we have investigated the effect of increasing temperature on the pathogenic fitness of Fusarium pseudograminearum, an important necrotrophic plant pathogen associated with crown rot disease of wheat in Australia. Eleven wheat lines with different levels of crown rot resistance were artificially inoculated with F. pseudograminearum and maintained at four diurnal temperatures 15/15°C, 20/15°C, 25/15°C and 28/15°C in a controlled glasshouse. To quantify the success of F. pseudograminearum three fitness measures, these being disease severity, pathogen biomass in stem base and flag leaf node, and deoxynivalenol (DON) in stem base and flag leaf node of mature plants were used. F. pseudograminearum showed superior overall fitness at 15/15°C, and this was reduced with increasing temperature. Pathogen fitness was significantly influenced by the level of crown rot resistance of wheat lines, but the influence of line declined with increasing temperature. Lines that exhibited superior crown rot resistance in the field were generally associated with reduced overall pathogen fitness. However, the relative performance of the wheat lines was dependent on the measure of pathogen fitness, and lines that were associated with one reduced measure of pathogen fitness did not always reduce another. There was a strong correlation between DON in stem base tissue and disease severity, but length of browning was not a good predictor of Fusarium biomass in the stem base. We report that a combination of host resistance and rising temperature will reduce pathogen fitness under increasing temperature, but further studies combining the effect of rising CO₂ are essential for more realistic assessments.     

Molecular characterisation of Fusarium oxysporum causing rot diseases in small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton)

Incidence of root rot and foliar yellowing, rhizome rot, panicle wilt and stem rot diseases of small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) are caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht., and were surveyed in the high ranges of Idukki district, Kerala during 2010–2011. The diseases were noticed in different areas to varying degrees. Root rot was found to be most severe, followed by pseudostem rot, rhizome rot and panicle wilt. The Fusarium infections were prevalent throughout the year (January–December) and varied from 1.5 to 10.6%. Even though the pathogen was isolated from different plant parts, during pathogenicity studies, all the isolates could cross-infect other plant parts too. Twenty different isolates of F. oxysporum were obtained from diseased samples, and five morphologically distinct isolates were analysed with Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers to study the genetic variability, if any, among them. PCR amplification of total genomic DNA with random oligonucleotide primers generated unique banding patterns, depending upon primers and isolates. Nine oligunucleotide primers were selected for the RAPD assays, which resulted in 221 bands for the five isolates of F. oxysporum. The number of bands obtained was entered into an NTSYS, and the results showed moderate genetic variability among F. oxysporum isolates causing root rot, rhizome rot, panicle wilt and pseudostem rot, collected from different locations. The dendrogram of different isolates into groups resulted in one major cluster at 0.61 similarity index comprising of four isolates (CRT 3, CRR 3, CPW 2 and CSR 1) and one isolate (CRT 5) formed in a separate cluster. Among the five isolates of F. oxysporum, CRT 5 was entirely different from the other four isolates. The isolates also differ according to the geographical area, as revealed from the genetic variability observed in different root rot isolates (CRT 3 and CRT 5). It is inferred that despite moderate variability, F. oxysporum, infecting small cardamom in Idukki district of Kerala, consists of a single clonal lineage.     

Metabolic activities and ultrastructure imaging at late-stage of wood decomposition in interactive brown rot - white rot fungal combinations

Basidiomycota brown rot fungus (Fomitopsis pinicola) and two white rot fungi (Phlebia radiata, Trichaptum abietinum) were cultivated on thin slices of spruce wood individually and in interspecies combinations. Within 12 months, F. pinicola substantially decomposed spruce wood observed as mass loss, also in three-species combinations. However, white rot fungi through hyphal interactions negatively affected the brown-rot indicative iron reduction capacity of F. pinicola. Decay-signature gene expression in mycelial interaction zones indicated suppression of brown rot mechanism but stimulation of enzymatic white-rot lignin attack by P. radiata. Wood ultrastructure imaging showed white-rot dominance in the fungal combinations, whereas destructive brown-rot was evident with F. pinicola alone. Our results confirm the dynamic pattern of enzyme production in fungal combinations, and transition from brown to white rot decomposition metabolism during the late stage of wood decay after one year of interspecific interactions.     

Inhibitory efficacy of endophytic Bacillus subtilis EDR4 against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on rapeseed

Stem rot, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a serious disease of rapeseed worldwide. This paper tested the inhibitory effect of an endophytic bacterial Bacillus subtilis strain, EDR4, on the sclerotial germination and hyphal growth of S. sclerotiorum. The cell-free filtrate solution and cell suspension of strain EDR4 were sprayed on rapeseed leaves and stems one day before, at the same time and one day after inoculation in the greenhouse experiments. There was no significant difference in inhibitory efficacy between the cell-free filtrate solution and cell suspension. The best biocontrol efficacy was achieved by spraying either the cell-free filtrate solution or cell suspension at the same time as inoculation. In the field trials, the efficacy of two applications of EDR4 cell suspension at the initial flowering stage and full bloom stage was the best, but there was no significant difference in efficacy between the one-application and two-application treatments during the initial flowering stage. The efficacy decreased gradually with the culture suspension dilutions. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that EDR4 cells significantly suppressed the hyphal growth. The bacterial treatment caused shrink, cytoplasm leakage and irregular tip swelling of fungal hyphae. The hyphal cells in the treated groups had higher numbers of vacuoles in the cytoplasm than the non-treated hyphal cells. The hyphal cytoplasm was disintegrated; the hyphal biomass was reduced; the formation of infection cushions was delayed; and the infection was suppressed after spraying the bacterial culture on rapeseed leaves. The results showed that the EDR4 bacterial strain could be used to control stem rot of rapeseed.     

Protective Effect of Polygonum orientale L. Extracts against Clavibater michiganense subsp. sepedonicum,the Causal Agent of Bacterial Ring Rot of Potato

The Polygonum orientale L. extracts were investigated for antibacterial activity against Clavibater michiganense subsp. sepedonicum (Spieckermann & Kotthoff) Davis et al., the causal agent of a serious disease called bacterial ring rot of potato. The results showed that the leaf extracts of P. orientale had significantly (p<0.05) greater antibacterial activity against C. michiganense subsp. sepedonicum than root, stem, flower extracts in vitro. According to the results of single factor experiments and L₂₇3⁽¹³⁾ orthogonal experiments, optimum extraction conditions were A₁B₃C₁, extraction time 6 h, temperature 80°C, solid to liquid ratio 1∶10 (g:mL). The highest (p<0.05) antibacterial activity was observed when pH was 5, excluding the effect of control. The extracts were stable under ultraviolet (UV). In vivo analysis revealed that 50 mg/mL of P. orientale leaf extracts was effective in controlling decay. Under field conditions, 50 mg/mL of P. orientale leaf extracts also improved growth parameters (whole plant length, shoot length, root length, plant fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, dry weight, and number of leaves), in the 2010 and 2011 two growing seasons. Further solvent partition assays showed that the most active compounds were in the petroleum ether fractionation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed drastic ultrastructural changes caused by petroleum ether fractionation, including bacterial deformation, electron-dense particles, formation of vacuoles and lack of cytoplasmic materials. These results indicated that P. orientale extracts have strong antibacterial activity against C. michiganense subsp. sepedonicum and a promising effect in control of bacterial ring rot of potato disease.     

Vermicompost-based bioformulation for the management of sugarbeet root rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii

Vermicompost-based bioformulations of bacterial and fungal biocontrol agents were examined against sugarbeet root rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii. The result showed that the Pseudomonas fluorescens strain Pf1 in combination with either Trichoderma asperellum strain TTH1 or Bacillus subtilis strain EPCO-16 performed better in reducing disease next to the chemical difenoconazole. Similarly, enhanced yield was observed in the same combination treatments under both pot and field conditions.     

Effect of Piper betle L. and its extracts on the growth and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus

Ground powder of the leaf and fruit of Piper betle L., a tropical spice plant grown in Southeast Asia, was prepared and extracted by chloroform, ethanol and water with one solvent only or with 3 solvents in sequence. The betel powder and various extracts were added to YES broth to determine their effects on the growth and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus. Results showed that betel leaf powder exhibited higher antimycotic activity than fruit. One half percent of ground leaf powder completely inhibited the growth and aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus. Among the solvent extracts, chloroform and ethanol extracts of betel leaf prepared from a single solvent extraction showed more antimycotic activity. The ethanol extract of betel leaf at the level of 450 micrograms/ml would eliminate A. parasiticus growth and aflatoxin production. The antimycotic activity of this ethanol extract was most pronounced at pH 4.     

Pathogenic analyses of fungus strains isolated from medicinal Fritillaria przewalskii Maxim. bulb rot

Bulb rot causes a great loss of rare perennial medicinal Fritillaria przewalskii Maxim., which is exacerbated with growth year and seriously constrains the plant productivity, but the pathogens responsible for the disease were still unknown. In this paper, we attempted to explore the potential pathogens leading to bulb rotting and their occurrence patterns in artificial domesticated F. przewalskii. Fungus strains were isolated from the bulb rot spot of the 3‐ to 5‐year‐old diseased F. przewalskii plants by tissue separation, further assayed for pathogenicity according to Koch's law and finally identified by both morphological and molecular methods. Seven pathogenic strains (F1‐F7) were detected in 5‐year‐old rot bulbs, six (F1‐F6) in 4‐year‐old rot bulbs and four (F1, F2, F5, F6) in 3‐year‐old rot bulbs. All of the strains were able to infect bulbs by stabbing and some exhibited varying levels of aggressiveness. Relative to the non‐stabbing controls, the bulbs stab‐inoculated with F5, F2, F7, F4, F1, F6, and F3 showed 76.65%, 75.15%, 71.44%, 40.37%, 39.09%, 36.87%, and 34.93% rot after 8 days, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these seven strains were clustered into Bionectria ochroleuca (F1, F3, F4), Fusarium oxysporum (F2, F7), Fusarium tricinctum (F5), and Clonostachys rosea (F6). The two species of Fusarium had the strongest pathogenicity, followed by Bionectria ochroleuca and Clonostachys rosea. Although leading to low bulb rot incidence by stab inoculation, F1 showed the highest isolation rate (48.9%) among all strains. Thus, the edible and medicinal bulbs of F. przewalskii are susceptible to synergetic contamination by these seven pathogens at some point after their third year of growth, which has contributed to the species endangered status, with the two strains of Fusarium being the predominant pathogens. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the seven strains of four fungal species causing F. przewalskii bulb rot in China.